2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Out-Tows Forester, Starts around $33,000
Subaru’s smallest SUV, the Crosstrek, is the latest to get the automaker’s Wilderness treatment. Unveiled at the 2023 New York International Auto Show, the new Crosstrek joins its Forester and Outback stablemates in featuring the off-road-oriented trim. The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness gets outfitted with adventure-oriented elements inside and out, promises enhanced capability on unpaved roads and offers a notable boost in towing capacity.
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The Off-Road Advantage
Subaru says the new Crosstrek Wilderness gets more off-road capability thanks to an updated drive ratio to improve the SUV’s climbing ability, as well as a retuned continuously variable automatic transmission for better traction at low speeds and in slippery conditions. An updated suspension with longer coil springs and shock absorbers increases the Crosstrek’s ground clearance from 8.7 to 9.3 inches and improves the SUV’s approach, departure and breakover angles. The Wilderness rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and is available exclusively with all-terrain tires intended to better accommodate mud, gravel and snow.
These tweaks are nearly identical to the ones Subaru made to the 2022 Forester Wilderness. In our review of the SUV, we found that the all-terrain tires were less composed on-road, but the other changes did not significantly hinder the SUV’s overall performance. In fact, the Wilderness offered a smoother ride with peppier acceleration on pavement than standard trims.
Like the Crosstrek’s Sport and Limited variants, the Wilderness comes with the X-Mode system that offers two driver-selectable modes: Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud. The system maximizes wheel control on slick surfaces or inclines, according to the automaker.
Towing Capacity Rises a Class or Two Above
The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in Sport and Limited trims and features Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive. Although the SUV’s horsepower and torque specs are unchanged at 182 hp and 176 pounds-feet, respectively, the Wilderness brings a substantial boost to the Crosstrek’s towing capacity: With the addition of a transmission oil cooler, the Wilderness can tow 3,500 pounds — more than double the capacity of other Crosstrek trims. Not only is that a substantial improvement compared to its subcompact counterparts, it’s also higher than the Forester’s 3,000-pound towing capacity and matches the Outback’s maximum.
Wilderness Digs, Adventure-Proof Interior
The newest Crosstrek dons a similar uniform worn by the Forester and Outback Wilderness. It includes unique front and rear bumpers; a trim-specific hexagonal grille; and added body protection for off-road endeavors with larger wheel-arch cladding and a metal front skid plate. It also sports unique LED foglights and a matte-black hood decal for reduced glare. To support a variety of outdoor gear, the Crosstrek Wilderness gains a ladder-type roof rack system with a 176-pound load capacity and 700-pound static load limit.
The SUV features Wilderness badging on the front doors and rear end, along with other visual cues like a body-color roof spoiler and black side mirrors. A Geyser Blue exterior paint color is available and shared exclusively with Subaru’s other Wilderness models.
The Wilderness theme carries through inside with water-resistant upholstery, a Wilderness logo on the front-seat head restraints and copper-finish accents. The interior color scheme includes Gunmetal Gray with black trim and copper-colored accent stitching. All-weather floormats and a water-resistant removable rear cargo tray provide a barrier from outdoor elements.
Features, Pricing and Release Date
On the list of standard features for the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness is a large, tablet-style 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that’s shared with all but the base Crosstrek. The Wilderness also gets a standard wireless phone charger and comes with Subaru’s enhanced EyeSight driver-assist suite. Like the Limited trim, the Wilderness adds standard blind spot detection with lane departure steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency steering.
Other creature comforts include USB-A and USB-C ports in the front and rear; dual-zone automatic climate control; and heated front seats, windshield and exterior mirrors. A power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat and premium Harman Kardon 10-speaker sound system can be added as part of a $2,270 package.
Set to arrive in the fall, the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness will start at $33,290 (includes $1,295 destination charge), while the cost of entry for the Crosstrek’s base trim is $26,290. The Wilderness will be built at Subaru’s Lafayette, Ind., plant alongside the Sport and Limited trims.
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